Phil Sumbler
The magic of the FA Cup. It seems a long time since the dreams of the swans were simply to reach the Third Round stage. Memories of a famous night against West Ham or a win at Bramall Lane are still strong in the forefront of the memory but now – and for the 15th consecutive season – the Swans enter at this stage and this season its with a trip to Bristol City.
The FA Cup is a strange animal these days. Speak to many sides in the top two divisions and they will tell you that they don’t need the distraction of a cup run but speak this morning to the fans of say Sheffield Wednesday or Wrexham and they will have very different tales to tell.
It is always difficult to know what it means to all football fans but with almost 2,500 Swans fans in attendance at Ashton Gate this has the feeling of a good old fashioned cup tie about it.
For Russell Martin he is clear that it gives him chance to try different things and – for once – comes in a period of relative calm as far as the fixture list is looking. It’s been almost a week since our last league game and its almost a week before the next one. That means less pressure on team selection and could mean that we see a more familiar looking side than has perhaps become the norm in the FA Cup at this stage.
“It is a game that gives us an opportunity to try certain things out. I have been really pleased with how the players have adapted to some of the things we have tried to do. We have been flexible but our identity has still been clear to see,” Martin said when previewing the game.
“So we want to bring the same energy and aggression as the last two games, and I think a cup tie brings a lot of that with it anyway. It sets it up to be a really good game.
“It should be a good cup tie, we have a lot of fans going, it’s a relatively short journey down the road and so it should be a great atmosphere.
“I know people say you don’t want to draw a team in your own league, but in terms of the locality and the distance for supporters to travel it makes for a good game.”
In the opposition dug out Nigel Pearson is clear on his plans for the game and has said that he will not change his line up much as the Robins head in search of progression in the competition.
“I’m not going to mess too much with the team selection for Sunday,” said Pearson. “There’ll be nine subs so there is every chance it’ll be the same squad with the addition of some youngsters. They may even get a chance which will be another step in their development.”
“We need to get a win, for lots of different reasons and off the back of the last two performances, which have been really good. We’ve been a bit unlucky not to win at least one of those games.
“We want to give the fans a winning home performance which shows our intent for 2023.”
On the team news front – Russell Martin has no new injury concerns and has the same squad to select from as he had available last Monday.
Despite some of the views towards the FA Cup, the competition still retains some of it’s magic for the fans and a 12.30 Sunday kick off and a strong travelling support should make for a good atmosphere at Ashton Gate and appears to be with two teams both determined to make progression in the competition.
For the winners they won’t have to wait long to find out their opponents in the fourth round – the draw will be made this afternoon on BBC One prior to the Manchester City v Chelsea tie which will be screened live on the channel.
Mark Chapman is set to host the draw, with ex-England internationals Emile Heskey and Karen Bardsley picking out the balls.
All week here on Planet Swans we have been taking third round trips down memory lane with classic third round matches of the past – if you missed any of them you can catch up via the links below.
- Classics: Liverpool survive FA Cup scare | Planet Swans
- Classics: West Ham United dumped out of FA Cup | Planet Swans
- Classics: Warnock moans as Blades are blunted | Planet Swans
- Classics: Havant and Waterlooville deny Swans a Liverpool trip | Planet Swans
- Classics: Manchester United out on their own patch as pressure mounts on Moyes | Planet Swans
Safe travels to everyone making the short trip to Bristol today and here’s to the magic of the FA Cup as we make our 100th appearance in the competition.
